Ben Saunders on UFC 86 fight, roster cuts, and upcoming video game

Ben Saunders (5-0-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who last competed in December at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale, is best known for his Jeet Kune Do style — and his constant smiling during fights. Don’t let the smile fool you, though; the American Top Team member is very serious about fighting.

MMAjunkie.com (www.MMAjunkie.com) recently had a chance to speak with the 25-year-old as he prepares for a fight against fellow “TUF 6” alumnus Jared Rollins.

Saunders spoke about a number of topics, including the recent UFC roster cuts, the upcoming UFC video game, his future in the welterweight division, and his upcoming fight at UFC 86 on July 5.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Can you officially confirm that you will be fighting Jared Rollins at UFC 86?

BEN SAUNDERS: <laughs> I ‘m never sure when it’s OK to say something. I never want to make a mistake and say something I’m not supposed to say, but yeah, I can confirm it now. I’ll be fighting J-Roc in July.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: With the recent roster cuts, some have speculated that this could be a “win or go home” fight for one or both of you.

BEN SAUNDERS: It might be a go home fight for J-Roc. He lost to George Sotiropoulos, and he lost to War Machine (John Koppenhaver) on the finale. I’m not worried on my end because I’m going to bring it. I’m coming to fight.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you have any expectations for this fight? Do you think he will stand with you or prefer to take it to the ground?

BEN SAUNDERS: I don’t know. I know he is a (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) brown belt under Carlson Gracie, but you never know where a fight will end up. I’m a purple belt, and I train very hard. I know I’ll be comfortable wherever the fight goes.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Will you be training at ATT Orlando, or will you train for your fight at ATT in Coconut Creek?

BEN SAUNDERS: I’m mixing it up. I’ve already gone down there (Coconut Creek) for a week, and now I’m back in Orlando training and teaching the night class here at ATT Orlando. I’ll be headed back down again before my fight. There are so many of the top fighters for me to train with down there, so many black belts all with their own styles.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: I know you are teaching a pretty heavy class schedule. That, combined with your training, should have you in great shape. Is there any chance of you gassing out in your fight?

BEN SAUNDERS: <laughs> I’ll tell you what, if I’m gassed in my fight, it will be because it’s an absolute war, and everyone will be getting their money’s worth.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Whenever your name is brought up, it’s inevitable that someone involved in the discussion brings up your constant smiling during fights. Many people in MMA have said when a fighter smiles after getting hit, it’s because he is hurt or is trying to prove that he’s not hurt.

BEN SAUNDERS: <laughs> I could smile for hundreds of reasons. Honestly I have no reason not to smile. I’m living my dream. If I kick you in the head really hard, I’m going to smile. If you hit me with a good shot, I’m going to smile. I fight because I love to fight; it’s all I have ever wanted to do. I’m not here because I have to be. I’m here because I want to be. If my opponent hits me with a good shot, he is a professional fighter in the UFC and should already know he hit me hard. It’s what we train to do. It’s the warrior instinct.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: As a newer fighter to the UFC, do you feel like you are ready to start immediately toward a title shot?

BEN SAUNDERS: Yes, I’m here to test myself against the best fighters in the world. I’m happy to fight whoever Joe Silva and my manager tell me to fight. I’d fight [Georges St. Pierre] or John Fitch tomorrow if they asked me to. I’m not saying I’d win or lose, but I’d fight. The UFC has all the top 10 fighters in the welterweight division except for maybe Jake Shields. This is where I want to be, testing myself against the best.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: I know you were very excited about the upcoming UFC video game. I also know UFC president Dana White told you that you could be in the game. Has there been any progress?

BEN SAUNDERS: Yeah, they (the developers) got in touch with me and flew me out. Dana told me it would happen, and if Dana says it’s going to happen, it happens. I’ve been a fan of the UFC games for years, and it’s a goal of mine to be in the game.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: What was that process like?

BEN SAUNDERS: They have a 3D scanning system, and they do a scan of your whole body. They also took a bunch of pictures from all different angles. Also they will take videos of my fights to study my movements and replicate them in the game. I told them it was cool if they just wanted to give me Anderson Silva’s default skill set. <laughs>

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Recent reports are saying we can expect the game to come out in spring of 2009. Have you heard anything?

BEN SAUNDERS: No, I haven’t. That game can’t come out soon enough. I’ve always played the UFC games on Dreamcast and PS2. I tried to create myself, but the custom characters sucked.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Now that your season is over and “The Ultimate Fighter 7” has begun, do you get recognized when you go out in public?

BEN SAUNDERS: If I wear UFC gear out, I get recognized. If I wear other fight shirts, I get looks like people can’t quite place me.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Thanks for the interview, Ben. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

BEN SAUNDERS: Thanks to Bruce Lee for opening my eyes and mind at a very young age. Jeet Kune Do Concepts baby! I want to thank American Top Team, Paul Rodriguez, Bobby Robare and all my teammates and training partners for getting me well prepared for my fights. I also want to thank all my fans, as well as all the fans of the sport. You guys are the reason I am able to live my dream and the reason MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Thank you all. If my fans want to reach me, you can visit me at http://www.myspace.com/jkdwarrior.

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